2:30 p.m. – Bill Smith, Urban & Regional Planner, Harold Skjelbostad, Registed Landscape Architect and Satoko Muratake, Urban Designer Landscape Architect of Biko Associates, Mary Bujold of Maxfield Research, Inc. and Caroline Braun, Planning Director for the City of Anoka met with Mayor Tammy Konz, Councilmember Eric Loewen, Chad Johnson of Public Works and Clerk Treasurer Dianne Robinson to conduct reconnaissance and scoping activities to start the Comprehensive Planning for the City. A tour of the City followed with the consulting team conducting an internal debriefing afterwards. 6:30 p.m. – The above consulting team, Councilmembers Eric Loewen, Joe Krippner, DuWayne Orbeck, Chris Jansky, Clerk Treasurer Dianne Robinson and the following public attended an informational meeting: Sandy Steinmetz (business owner and Pres. of the Kimball Area Chamber of Commerce), Leo Wirth (Chamber member and Maine Prairie Township resident and past business owner), Erika O’Brien (Kingston Township resident), Rhonda Pagel (City Attorney), Erin Gutwasser (City resident), Audrey White (City resident), Mary Johnson (City resident and member of the Kimball Area Historical Society), Vern Harris (City resident and Pastor of the Kimball Church of Christ), Cole Loewen (Maine Prairie Township resident), Cindy Stelten (Kimball resident and business owner), Jim Schulz (City Engineer), Keith Markwardt (President of the State Bank of Kimball), Jean Matua (Maine Prairie Township resident and owner of the Tri-County News) and Marilyn Sterling (City resident). Introductions were done. Caroline Braun, Planning Director for the City of Anoka who is a part of the Biko team outlined what a Comprehensive Plan is, what is in a plan and the reason for creating a Comprehensive Plan? Each member of the team gave an overview of the City tour. Councilmember Orbeck questioned the recodification of the zoning ordinances. Bill Smith of Biko Assoc. explained that re-codification was not a part of the contract. Leo Wirth addressed the planning process. Would Biko Assoc. be guiding the City Council or telling them what to do, is there room on the Steering Committee for Township residents and what is the timeline? Bill Smith explained that his team is a guide. All decisions are made by the City Council and yes there is room on the Steering Committee for the surrounding township residents/board members. PAGE 2 AUG. 22, 2007 The time line was reviewed with a kick off meeting scheduled for September and the first Steering Committee meeting in October. These meeting are open to the public and governed by the Open Meeting Law. It was noted that the Steering Committee has work to do at this meeting and they would try to do an open forum either at the beginning or end of the meeting if public is present and has any comment. Area growth was discussed. Why is there only one teacher living in the community? The comments were housing availability; spouse job location, best fit for family, location of amenities and what can the City do to draw them here. Parking comments, site view of businesses and view of Willow Creek park, past eminent domain being a threat to property owners of having their property taken, having Maine Prairie Township board members on the Steering Committee, involving Maine Prairie Township in any annexation way in advance, having a progressive Council, Maine Prairie Township surrounding the boundaries of the CityWater and Sewer infrastructure, short and long term fix, availability of other utility services for new businesses, incentives such as TIF and Tax Abatement, transportation issues for Elm St. North and Highway 15, the large amount of tax exempt property in the City (schools, churches, parks, City building sites, etc.) which makes for higher taxes, promotion and education, rail industry location, drop box for public comments, Steering Committee notifications and dedication to Steering Committee if appointed were issues addressed. The approval of the final plat for Heritage Park and the need for more commercial property was discussed. City Attorney Rhonda Pagel explained that once the previous Council had approved the preliminary plat, the Council had to proceed with approval of the final plat. Several negative comments were made as to how the previous Council had handled this transaction. Bill Smith of Biko Assoc. stated that their should be no more than two Councilmembers on the Steering Committee and that an average steering committee consists of approx. 12 – 15 members made up of Councilmembers, City residents, business owners, Maine Prairie Township board member local church pastor, etc. This Steering Committee is appointed by the City Council. They do their work and present it to the City Council who makes all the final decisions. The Council also appoints a Chairperson for the Steering Committee. The City Clerk Treasurer will take care of all the notices and mailings. The Steering Committee meetings will be on the last Thursday of the month with the first meeting being held on Oct. 25, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. Bill asked for a show of hands of those not on Biko’s team, who would like to serve on the steering committee. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Dianne Robinson Clerk Treasurer
